Becky Hammon was ready to accept a fine after blasting the whistle the Las Vegas Aces received in their loss to the Dallas Wings.
The frustration came after a 95-87 defeat in which the Wings took control after halftime and sent Las Vegas to another uncomfortable early-season loss.
Hammon did not deny that Dallas earned its trips to the line. Her anger was about the gap between how often the Wings were rewarded and how rarely her stars were.
Becky Hammon blasts Las Vegas Aces whistle after Dallas Wings loss
In a viral Yahoo Sports clip, Hammon made it clear she was tired of watching the Aces’ top attackers leave games without the same free-throw volume.
“I mean, A’ja Wilson shoots one free throw, Chennedy Carter zero, Jackie Young zero. I’m f______ tired of that b_______. I’m not saying they [Dallas Wings] didn’t earn their 22 down there,” Hammon said.
That was the balance in Hammon’s complaint. She did not say Dallas was gifted the game, but she could not accept Wilson, Carter, and Young combining for almost no whistles.
The final score made the frustration worse. Dallas won 95-87 after turning the game in the second half, with Jessica Shepard producing a historic 22-point, 20-rebound, 10-assist triple-double.
For Las Vegas, Wilson still finished with 21 points, and Carter added 14 in her return to Dallas, but Hammon clearly felt the Aces had to fight through too much contact without reward.
Becky Hammon says Las Vegas Aces stars are not getting Dallas Wings-level calls
Hammon then pointed to Kuier’s free-throw total as the clearest example of why the box score bothered her.
“But when Awak Kuier shoots more free throws than A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young, and Chennedy Carter all combined?
“That’s a problem. We’re not getting the same whistle. All right, give me my fine,” Hammon added.
That final line said everything. Hammon knew criticizing officiating could cost her, but she clearly felt the point was worth making publicly. The Aces’ issue is not only one game.
Wilson, Young and Carter are supposed to pressure defenses constantly, and Hammon wants that aggression reflected at the line. Dallas deserves credit for the win, especially after outscoring Las Vegas 50-34 after halftime.
But Hammon’s message was that the Aces cannot compete on uneven terms if their best downhill players are not getting calls. She may get a fine. She also made sure the league heard the complaint.
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